The Forge

Ooh, yeah, where we at? Where we at?

Switch, switch, switch, switch, switch, switch.

-Too easy. It's too easy. -Yeah, I hear you talking.

-Are you talking? -Let's go, let's go, let's go.

He ain't goin' nowhere. He ain't goin' nowhere.

Go, Key. Go, Key!

-All the way! -Zay, tighten up.

Calm down, bro.

Yeah, where you at, Zay? Tie game, baby.

-You ain't won yet. Let's go. -Let's go, baby.

Oh. Ah, ah.

Where'd he go? Zay, Zay.

Watch out.

Let's go, boy.

Yes, sir.

-One, two, three. -Yeah, yo.

One, two, three.

- Yeah! Hey. - Zay.

-That's game, baby. That's game. -Yeah, Zay.

Dre, you got two guys coming in.

I see 'em.

Yo, Jamal, where you at?

Yo, I'm pickin' up loot.

Isaiah, can you come help me?

Hey, hey, shots left. Shots left. Come help me.

Yo, Jamal, build up.

- Oh, he got me. - Isaiah?

Yo, Dre, you got... you got a med kit?

Yeah, cover me.

Isaiah!

Dude.

Are you serious?

I'm down, man. He got me.

That's my bad. He came out of nowhere.

Isaiah Tyrone Wright!

Let's run it back, man.

We are not ending on that.

Look, I got to go. I'll catch you later.

Could you not hear me?

I-I was in the middle of a game.

I can't pause it.

Boy, I don't care nothin' about no games.

You always in the middle of a game.

You want to tell me why our trash can is still full?

Did you at least start your laundry?

Uh, not yet.

Is your room clean?

No, I'm about to do that right now.

Okay, listen.

I'm tired of having this same conversation

over and over again.

You are 19 years old.

That means it's time for you to step up.

If you don't want to go to college, that's fine,

but you gonna get a job,

'cause let me tell you what you not gonna do--

you're not gonna sit around here living off of your mother.

Not when you're fully capable of taking on

some of this responsibility yourself.

Isaiah.

I love you, but if you're going to live here,

you gonna pay me rent here.

You're not finna spend all your graduation money

on sneakers and video games.

Oh, rent?

You gonna make me pay to live in my own house?

Your house?

You are my son, but I'm giving you one month to find a job

or you can find one of your little friends

that's gonna let you sleep on they couch for free.

Ooh, God, help me.

And help him.

Look, I told you, man.

It's been sitting here since I was nine.

Your grandfather drove this?

Well, my mom said it was in bad shape when he got it.

He was gonna fix it up with my dad.

Then my dad told me he was gonna fix it up with me.

This is the way he left it.

Like everything else.

You know, if I could get something for it, I'd sell it.

Well, if you looking for a job,

you better find one that's close,

'cause you ain't driving this.

Yeah, obviously.

-Thank you so much. -Of course. Have a blessed day.

You, too.

Excuse me.

Oh, hi there.

What can I get for you?

Hey, uh, what's your name?

Uh, my name is Abigail.

Is this your first time in our shop?

Yeah, this my first time here, but, um,

you know how to make good coffee, Abigail?

I mean, our customers seem to think so.

Uh-huh.

You live around here?

Um, yeah, but I-I don't really...

- You don't... - Hi.

Can I help you?

Nah. I mean, you good, man.

I'm-I'm just trying to talk to the young lady right here.

You feel me?

Hmm. Yeah, that's my daughter.

I'd like to know if you're interested

in getting a coffee today.

No.

I mean, to be honest, it's really not my thing, so...

Hmm. Well, then you need to move on.

What? Man, you can't just kick me out of here.

I ain't did nothin' wrong.

Well, like I said, if you're not here to get coffee today,

then you need to be on your way.

Look, what's your problem, man, huh?

You can't just come out here and threaten me.

I ain't committing no crime. Huh?

Do I look like a criminal to you?

Okay.

Let me tell you something.

I would like for you to leave.

I need for you to leave my shop right now.

What, you think I'm beneath you?

Hmm?

Get out.

Go on.

I'm goin'.

And I won't be back, either.

Believe that.

Hi. Can I help you?

Um, I'd like to apply for a job.

Okay.

Well, is there a certain type of job you're looking for?

Nah, I just, you know, want to see what you got.

Okay, well...

here's an application...

if you'd like to fill it out.

Hello there, young man.

How are you doing today?

I'm good.

You interested in some fitness equipment?

I don't know, man. Maybe.

Well, I'd be happy to talk to you if you'd like.

Hey, look, man.

I'm just trying to see about a job, all right?

That's why I'm filling this out.

I ain't here to buy nothing.

What, you a salesman for this company?

I'm the president.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Where you going?

Well, I ain't gonna get a job now.

What's your name?

Joshua Moore.

Will you tell me your name?

Isaiah.

Good to meet you, Isaiah.

You got lunch plans?

What?

I can buy you lunch. We can talk?

You being for real?

I am.

And, Mr. Moore, would you like your usual today?

You got it.

All right, sounds good. I will be back shortly.

So...

tell me about yourself, Isaiah.

I mean, I'm 19.

I just need a job, you know.

You got family here?

It's just me and my mom.

She owns a hair salon off of Heartwood.

College plans?

Nah, that ain't me.

Okay. Well...

five years from now, where do you want to be?

Five years? Um...

I don't know.

I'm just taking a day at a time.

Well, Isaiah, if you're available to work,

we can discuss options in my company.

But I want to ask you a few questions first.

Now, if you want to take some time

to think about your answers,

we can get together and talk again when you're ready.

My questions are these:

In what ways do you want to grow in the next year?

What kind of man do you want to be?

And what do you want people to think

when they see you coming?

I'll tell you what I think.

You either help at home to the degree

you adding value like a job or you get a job

that funds the value of your home

to the degree it equals the work at home

-you would have done. -Yes, ma'am.

Girl, what?

You lost me-- you're gonna have to say that again.

Cynthia, honey, I agree.

You need to draw a line in the sand.